Tufting machine



\ July 5, 1933.. Q LOOPER ZZS- TUFTING MACHINE Filed Dec. l5, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 July5,1938. LOOPER 2,123,114

TUFTING MACHINE Filed Desi 15, 195e '3 sheets-sheet 24 G. LOOPER TUFTING MACHINE July 5, 1938.

y Filed Dec. 15, 193e 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented. July 5, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Tormo MACHINE l v Glenn Looper, Dalton, Ga. Application December 15, 1936, Serial No. 116,003 11 claims. (china-L79) This invention relates to tufting machines, and i the invention has for anfobject to provide a machine of this kind to be sed in the decoration of articles,4 such as bedspreads, pillow tops, rugs, dress' coats -for ladies and other articles of like nature and more particularly whenfthe material to be decorated' is of light weight texture, such as thin sheeting.

In tufting machines now generally known and used satisfactory work cannot be done in connection with thin fabric due to the fact that such prior machines lack adequate fine adjustments necessary to satisfactorily accomplish the work results desired and, furthermore, such machines already known are complicated in structure making the saine extremely unsatisfactory in producing fine work. It is another object of the invention to provide' a machine which obviates .disadvantages such as these and produces a machine fully capable of working upon fabric of a thin or light weight texture.

In the general art of tufting is embodied the step of passing through the fabric along prede'- termined lines or at desired points' on the fabric heavy strands, preferably of yarn, said strands being formed into loops which are afterwards severed to produce the desired pile. Thisdnsertion or passing of the strands through the material and particularly when the material is light inV weight, often results in unsatisfactory work due to the fact that the work being operated upon /is not suiliciently heavy to withstand l or resist the friction of the strands passing therethrough and especially when such strands are dyed on account of the relatively wide slot in the feed plate. An additional objectlof the invention vis to provide a tufting machine free of such objections.

Another serious problem in connection with a tufting machine is to have a simple means of adjusting the length of the pile and at the same time keeping the looper, cutter'and needle as comprised in the tufting machine in proper relative, relation to each other so that the looper will loop .i thethread and thecutter'sever the loop with a resultant even pile. An additional object of the invention is to provide a tufting machine which A provides for this advantageous result.

The invention also has for an object to pro- 50 vide a machine of this kind wherein the looping and cutting mechanism ldoes not form a part of or is in driving connection with the feeding mechanism. furthe cloth, thus relieving such feeding mechanism of undue strain as'might otherwise affect the work result and particularly such imperfections in the Work result which might occur upon wear, even though very slight, of any part of the feeding mechanism. If the looper and cutting mechanismconstituted a part of the feeding means or was driven directly therefrom, any Wear on the part of the feeding mechanism would throw out of adjustment and timing sequence any operation of the looper and cutter with respect to the needle forming the loop.

The invention also contemplates as an object to provide a tufting machine of this kind wherein means are provided for the adequate adjustment' of the looper toa very fine point with respect to the needle forming the loop and wherein means are also at hand whereby the looper can be set at Whatever desired angle necessary to catch the loop as the loops formed -by the needle often vary in size depending upon the character of the strand and more particularly the dye coloring of the strand.

It is also an object of the invention to provide a machine of this kind wherein the cutting means mayffbe properly adjusted with respect to the looper to .assure proper cutting of the loops 'as formed around the-looper.

The invention has for a still further object toV provide means whereby ready andv rapid removal and replacement may be had of the cutting means or more particularly the knife .comprised in such cutting means so that the same may be sharpened o r a new cutting means or blade substituted without throwing any parts of the machine out of adjustment, thus eliminating liability of loss of time in the normal operation of the machine.

The invention consists in the details of construction 'and in the' combination and arrangement of the several parts of` my improved tufting machine whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and lotherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

'Ihe novel features of my invention inafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein;-'

Figure 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic view in front elevation of a tufting machine constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

will here- .Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmentary vview partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating certainparts of my improved mechanism as l may be the better of the goods to be operated upon;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 3--3 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrow;

,Figure '4 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the cutting means herein embodied and at thev side opposite to that illustrated in Figure 3, portions of the machine as illustrated in Figure 3 being omitted; y

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 but showing certain of the parts in a second position and with the looper initially engaging the strand or thread in the production of a loop as the needle retracts;`

Figure 6 is a sectional view somewhat similar to Figures 3 and 4 but showing certain of the parts in a still further position, said figure also illustrating other details of construction as herein employed;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view partly ln section and partly in elevation illustrating in detail certain of the features for operating the cutting means and looper;

Figure Seis a transverse sectional view taken through the presser foot herein disclosed;

Figure 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view in perspective of the looper and its associated plate as herein comprised.-

My improved invention comprises in its assembly a sewing machine structure of any well known or preferred type including a head H through which operates the needle bar I and the presser bar 2 and wherein the head H has underlying the same the bed plate 3. The sewing machine structure also comprises the conventional rock shafts 4 and 5 extending lengthwise of the bed of the machine and fore and aft of the opening 6 in the bed plate 3 which is normally closed by a throat plate I upon which bears from above the presser foot 8 carried by the lower or working end portion of the presser bar 2. Coacting in a well known manner with this throat plate 1 from below is the feed dog 9' of a cnventional type and which has conventional movement through a slot I0 in the throat plate 1. The throat plate 'I in the present embodiment of the invention d oes not have a 'separate opening for the needle N but said needle in its reciprocation has desired movement through the forward end portion of the central slot I 0. This central slot II! is also of material length and is preferably of' a length to have its rear end terminate beyond the heel portion of the presser foot 8.

The feed dog 9 is carried, as is well known, by the bar II, one end portion of which is operatively engaged, as at I2, with a rock arm I4 carried by the shaft 4 for substantially recipror- I niet from below with the work te feed theseme rearwardly. The shafts 4 and 5 are rocked in a well known manner at proper relative speeds.

It is to be stated at ythis time that the mechanism for rocking the shafts 4 and 5 and for reclprocating the needle bar I may be as preferred, it only being necessary that there be the required timed sequence of operations..."

herein embodied, the line of section being taken in a direction at right angles to the lin'e of travel.

The presser foot 8 is relatively broad so as to provide its under surface with relatively large contacting areas for engagement with the material being worked at opposite sides of the slots I0, said areas being separated by a groove I6 extending lengthwise of the under surface of the foot 8. This groove I6 is of such width and depth to permit the ready unobstructed travel therethrough rearwardly from the needle N of the row I'I of back stitching produced in the creation of the tufts or pile upon the fabric F.

This assures the free rearward feeding of the fabric F and to further prevent clogging of the cloth the heel portion of -the presser foot 8 is disposed upwardly and rearwardly on a predetermined bevel, as at I8. This bevel I8 together with the distance the opening 6 extends rearwardly of the presser foot 8 results in a free and unhampered rearward feeding of the work or fabric F.

The portions of the working areas of the presser foot 8 at opposite sides of the groove I6 have produced therealong the parallel shallow grooves I9. These grooves I9 are of especial importance and advantage as when the presser foot 8 is lowered into working engagement with the fabric F, the portions of the fabric at opposite sides of the slot IIJ and particularly immediately adjacent to the needle N are effectively prevented from being pulled inwardly toward the slot I0 as the needle passes downwardly through the fabric F or as the needle moves upwardly out from the cloth. By this means it is possible with the present machine to decorate by tuffs fabric of extremely light Weight and more especially when the thread or strand employed is a dyed yarn or otherwise coarse in character. To those familiar with work for which the present machine is intended it is well known that the frictional contact between the coarse thread or strand and the fabric as the needle passes through the fabric has a tendency to impose strain and stress upon the fabric resulting in tearing of the fabric or the pulling of the fabric in a manner resulting in an unsatisfactory nish. While this objection does not apply when the machine is used in connection with a relatively heavy fabric, such as duck, yet it is not only important but necessary to provide a means such as these grooves I9 for holding the cloth against lateral pull with respect to the slots I0 when Working with light weight fabric. In other words, the means as afforded by these grooves I 9 hold the cloth taut across the opening 6 so as to permit the desired movements of the needle with its strand or yarn through the fabric.

It is to be stated at this time that the sewing machine intended for tufting requires no shuttle although the mechanism contains the shaft 2U which is provided in the ordinary machines for operating the shuttle. This shaft 20 is driven in a well known manner and, therefore, a detailed description and illustration of its operating means is believed to be unnecessary. It is to be stated, of course, that the shaft 20 rotates in proper time sequence with respect to the operation of the needle bar I andthe shafts 4 and 5 in the. production of the Work for which the present machine is to be employed.

The bed plate 3 to one side of the plate 'I and preferably at the inner side, is provided with a depending flange 2l to which is-secured the upper end portion of a depending arm 22 of desired length. As herein disclosed, this arm 22 is held to the flange 2I by a bolt 23 freely disposed through the ange 2| but threading into the porproper turning of the bolt 23 the arm 22 may be effectively clamped in desired position yet if it should be desired to adjust the arm 22 The lower endportion of the arm 22 isl enlarged to one side thereof to provide a block 24. 'This block has produced therethrough a bore 25 preferably substantially at right angles to the arm 22, or more particularly at rightangles to the path of 'travel in which said'arm 22 may be adjusted. Threading into the bore 25 in the block 24 is an endportion of an elongated 'member or bar 26 cylindrical inform and of desired lengthv Also ,threading upon this member or bar 26 at opposite sides ofthe block'24 and coacting therewith are the lock nuts 21. These nuts 21 provide means for effectively maintaining the member or bar 26 in its desired lengthwise adjustment with reparticularly the arm 22.

This bar or member 26 extends forwardly of the block 24 a distance to intersect 'the path of travel of the needle N and freely mounted upon such portion ofthe bar or member 26 is a bearing 28 carried by one end portion of\a rock arm 29. 'I'he outer end portion of this rock `arm 29 is provided with an upstanding -extension 39. the rocker arm 29 and its extension 3 9 constituting a vcarrier for the arm of the' looper, to be described, 4The bar or member 26 between the arm 22' and the bearing 28 is provided with'a thrust ilange 3| preferably integral 'therewith vand against which the bearing 28 is constantly urged under the action o f the expansible member 32 hereindisclosed as a coil spring interposed between the bearing 28 and a head'or enlargement 33 carried by the member or bar 26 outwardly of the bearing 28. This member 'or enlargement 33 as herein disclosed constitutes'a nut threading upon the member or bar 26'whereby the tension of the member 32 may be increased or decreased asdesired. As herein disclosed the expansible member 32com'prises a coil spring of requisite tension encircling the lmember or bar 26 with its inner end portion in direct contact with a washer 34 surrounding the bar or member v26.

Overlylng the side face of the upstanding extension 30 of the rock arm29 and the adjacent portion of the arm 29 is the lower extremity of an vupstanding flat bar or arm 35. This overlying'l portion of the bar or arm 35 has produced there- ,through a pair of aligned and longitudinally dis-I posed slots `36 and 31.v ADirected through the lower slot36 is a holding screw 38 threading into thel outer portion of the rock arm 2 9. This screw 38 also serves as a fulcrum or pivot when'itV is. desired to swingingly adjust the bar 35 towardV or from the path of travel of the needle N for a vpurpose tov be hereinafter more particularly referred to.

Disposed through the upper slot V31 and a curved'slot 39 inthe upper part of the extension 39 is a bolt 49, the free end portion of ,which having threaded'thereon a clamping nut 4|Jfor co- #action with the extension 39 of the rock arm 29.

This bolt 49 in'v addition to providing means for by swing- I ing the same about the bolt 23, this can be readily Yaccomplished by loosening the bolt.

and knife plate 44. The base of the groove 42 at substantially its axial center is provided with an outstanding lug 45 which is received within a suitably positioned opening 46 disposed through the shank 43 of the plate 44. Bridging the groove 42 and extending across the applied shank 43 is an end portion of a holding bar 41'removably. or securely held to the bar 35 in any preferred manner as generally indicated at '48.'

However, I do not wish to be understoodas limiting `myself to the particular kind of clamping meansas illustrated at 48 in the accompanying drawings as it is posible to use other means with equal advantage. 4

Overlying the face of the bar 35 opposite to the face provided with the groove 42 is an elongated plate 49,. the intermediate portion of which is pivotallyconnected through the medium of the bolt 59 with said bar 35 so that said plate 49 may have selective adjustment about the bolt 59 as a fulcrum as provided vby the arcuate slot through which is disposed the clamping bolt 52. As is-clearly illustrated .in Figure '1 of the drawings, the bolts 59 and 52 boththread into the bar 39 but are freely disposed thro-ugh the plate 49. `It is also to be further stated that the bolt 59 as well as the bolt 52'may be used to clamp the plate 49 in desired adjustment upon the bar 35.

The slot 5|, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, is preferably in the lower portion of the applied plate 49 and extending outwardly and laterally from the opposite or upper end portion of the plate 49 is a pin 53 which is freely disposed through an end portion of a rigid link 54 the opposite end portion of which being pivotally effect an oscillation of the bar 35 about the bar portion of or member 26 as a fulcrum a distance suffi ient l to effect the desired movement ofthe plate 4 and more particularly the looper 51 and the knife 58 with respect tosthe loop 59 of yarn or other thread .as formed by the needle N as it passes down through the fabric F and moves upwardly.

It is to be understood that when the needle N is raised to its highest position the bar 35 has been moved to its farthest position away` from the path oftravel4 of the needle. When the needle N has completed itsdownward movement the bar 35 will have been moved toward the needle a distance suliiicient to bring the tip of the looper 51V at a point just about to enter the loopof the thread or yarn formed by the succeeding raising or upward movement of the needle. vIt is for this purpose that the various adjustments hereinbefore referred to are provided as it is important and necessary that ready and convenient means4 to assure the assemblyl of the parts so that this proper positioning of the tip ofthe looper 51 will be assured. As the needle N raises or moves upward' the loop of the strand or thread of course will be formed around the outer portion of the looper 51 the under surface of which is blunt for a desired distance in order to prevent severing orcutting of the loop until the loop has been moved rearwardly of the looper 51 a distance suflcient to allow the forward portion of the looper 51 to be free for the formation of the next f succeeding loop. As the needle raises or moves upwardly during the formation of the succeeding loop the previously formed loop will be engaged by l Cil the knife 58 formed on the plate 44 immediately to the rear -of the looper 51 and sever 'or cut the loop whereby the desired jpile ls produced. It is to be noted, however, that during this looping operation there is no severing of the loop 'being formed. 'I'his severing of the loop of course is assured by the fact that as the looper is moved forwardly in the production of the succeeding loop the fabric F will have been moved rearwardly under theaction of the feed dogil a distance sufficient to assure the proper cutting action of the knife 58,

The looper 51, as clearly illustrated in the drawings, comprises a forwardly and downwardly curved part extending from the upper portion of the plate 44 and the knife 58 is comprised in the marginal portion of said part immediately adjacent to the looper l5Fl proper. This knife 58 is disposed on a. rearward and downward curvature for a distance sumcient to assure the most effective cutting action upon a loop.

It is to be particularly stated at this time that the tip portion of the looper 51 is extremely thin so as to assure its proper entrance Within the loop of the thread or yarn and which is particularly essential when the work is unusually fine.

Pivotally held at a particular point upon the plate 44 by the bolt 60 is a knife blade 6|, the cutting edge 62 of which is preferably straight. ThisI blade 6I is so constructed and designed to assure proper coaction of the cutting edge 62 of the blade 6I with the knife 58 upon required rocking movement being given to the blade 6I. The blade 6I is also constantly urged into proper working position with respect to the plate 44 by an expansible member or spring 63 herein disclosed as encircling the bolt between the head thereof and the blade 6l. The bolt 60 also has engaged therewith a holding nut 64.

The blade 6l is provided with a shank 65 having a slot or kerf 66 ln which is received a pin 61 extending laterally from an arm 68 clamped into selective adjusted position by a bolt 69 extending through a longitudinally directed slot l0 in the arm 68 and engaged with a lug or other part 1l depending from the machine bed 3. The throw of the knife-blade 6I can be readily regulated or varied as required by endwse adjustment of the arm 68.

It is to be particularly mentioned at this time that the mounting of the plate M is such that it can be readily applied or removed should it be desired to sharpen the knife 58 lor if it should be desired to make a replacement. The removal or application of the plate M is readily obtained without in any way affecting other adjustments of the machine. This in a' machine of this kind is very important.

. From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that' a tufting machine constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may 'be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and lmodification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to bev understood-as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out m'y invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed. Y

I claimzi. In a tufting machine, a work support, a reciprocatory needle to carry the yarn through the work and produce loops, work feed means for coaction with the needle, supporting' means including a shaft having its longitudinal axis extending across the line of work feed, an oscillatory carrier pivotally mounted upon the shaft, said carrierl having a generally horizontal slot, a looper including an upstanding arm, said arm being pro,- vided with a plurality of generally vertical slots, a connecting element passing through one generally vertical slot and attached tov the carrier and adapted to serve as a fulcrum for the arm, a bolt passing through the other generally vertical slot and through the generally horizontal slot in the carrier to permit of the vertical yadjustment of the arm and also the angular adjustment of the arm about the connecting element, the bolt being adapted to clamp the arm to the carrier, means to oscillate the carrier and looper to cause the looper to enter the loops, and means to sever the loops upon the looper.

2. In a tufting machine, a work support, a reciprocatory needle to carry the yarn through the work and produce loops, work feed means for coaction with the needle, a supporting element, a carrier, adjustable means pivotally mounting the carrier upon the supporting element so that the carrier turns about an axis extending transversely of the line of work feed, the adjustable means providing for the arrangement of the carrier at different distances from the supporting element, a looper including an l upstanding arm, means for vertically adjustably mounting the upstandlng'arm upony the carrier,

i means to oscillate the carrier and looper to cause the looper to enter the loops, and means to sever the loops upon the looper.

3. In a tufting machine,- a work support, a reciprocatory needle to carry the yarn through the 'work and produce loops, work feed means for coaction with the needle, a relatively stationary part, an 4arm depending from the relatively stationary part and angularly adjustable in a plane generally parallel with the line of work feed, a substantially horizontal member extending transversely of the line of work feed and longitudinally adjustably mounted upon the arm, a looper mounted upon the member to tum about the longitudinal'axis of the member for swinging movement in a direction longitudinally of the line of work feed toward and from the the Work and produce loops, work feed means for coaction with the needle, ar relatlvelyjstationary part, 'a depending arm angularly adjustably mounted upon the relatively stationarypart and shiftable in a plane generally parallel with the line of work feed, a substantially horizontal member arranged transversely of the line of.

work and longitudinally 'adjustably mounted upon the lower portion ofthe arm, a carrier mounted upon the ymember to turn about the longitudinal axis of the'memb'era looper having an upstanding arm, means to vertically adjustably mount the arm upon the carrier, the carrier and looper swinging in a plane extending 'longitudinally of the line of work feed,' means to swing the carrier and looper to cause the looper to-enter the loops, and means to sever `the loops upon the looper.

5. In a tufting machine, a work support, a reciprocatory needle to pass the yarn through the fabric and produce loops, work feed means for 75 coaction with the needle. a supported shaft extending transversely of the line oi work, a vertically swinging looper mounted upon the shaft for movement in a plane longitudinally of the line -work and produce loops, a reciprocatory looper to enter the loops, a lever pivotally mounted between its ends upon the looper between theopposite ends of the looper and provided near one end l of said lever with a pivot element, adjustable means to clamp the opposite end of the lever to the looper, a link engaging the. pivot element, means to reciprocate the link, and means to ,sever the loopsvupon the looper.

'1; In a tufting machine, a work support, areciprocatory needle to carry the yarn through the work and produce loops, work-'feed mechanism for coaction with the needle, an arm provided upon one face with a transverse groove having oppositely arranged edges, one side of the groove being open, a looper having a shank for insertion within the groove, said shank having anopening,

`a pin attached to the arm and arranged within the groove and adapted for insertion within the opening in the shank, the pin holding the shank against longitudinal movement with relation to the arm and permitting of the i'ree lateral movement of the shank with relation to the arm,and a member mounted upon the arm and adapted to extend across the groove to prevent the lateral movement of the shank out oi' the groove, said member being adjustable to uncover the groove so that the shank may be removed laterally therefrom.

8. In a tui'ting machine, a work support, a reciprocatory needle to carry the yam through the work and produce loops, work feed mechanism i'or coaction with the needle, actuating means for the work feed mechanism, a looper for movement toward and from the needle and having a depending arm, a cutter to sever the loops upon the looper, means to actuate the cutter, a reciprocatory carrier having a part arranged below the looper, cutter, and actuating means for the same, the depending arm ot the looper having its lower portion arranged adjacent to said part of the carrier, means for vertically adjustably mounting the lower portion of the arm upon said part, andl Imeans to move the carrier and looper as a unit and disposed above the mounting means, the arrangement being such that access may be readily had to the mounting means.

9. In a tul'ting machine, a work support, areciprocatory needle to carry the yarn through the looper.

work and produce loops, work feed mechanism for coaction with the needle,. actuating means for the work feed mechanism, a looper formovement toward and from the needle and having a depending arm provided in its lower portion with a longitudinal slot, a cutter to sever the loops upon the looper, means to actuate the cutter, a reciprocatory carrier having a part arranged below the work feed mechanism, looper, cutter, and actuating means for the same, the lower portion of the arm having the longitudinal slot being arranged upon said part, an adjustable clamping element secured to saidpart and arranged within the longitudinal slot to permit of the vertical adjustment of the arm with relation to said part,

means to move the carrier andlooper as a unit and arranged at a diilerent elevation from the clamping element, the arrangement being such that access may be readily had to the clamping element.

l0. In a tuiting machine, a work support, a reciprocatory needle to carry the yarn through the work and produce loops, work feed mecha-v nism for coaction with the needle, an element having a longitudinal axis, means to support the element below the work support, a swinging carrler mounted upon the element to turn about the longitudinal axis of the element, a looper adapted to move across the path of travel of the needle and having a long arm extending downwardly below the longitudinal axis of theelement, the arm being provided near its lower end with a longitudinal slot, an adjustable clamping element secured to the carrier and arranged within the lo'ngitudinal slot, the arm being adapted to be raised and lowered with reipect to the carrier and the adjustable element serving toclamp the arm to the carrier in the selected adjusted position,

means to swing the carrier and looper as a unit,"

and means to severl the loops upon the looper.

-.11. In a tufting machine, a work support, a reciprocatory needle 'to carry the yarn through the work support and tn produce loops, work feed means for coaction with the needle, a reciprocatory carrier, a looper including a generallyvertical arm, said arm and carrier having engaging `within the generally horizontal slot, the arrangement being such that the arm of the looper may be angularly and vertically adjusted with respect to the carrier and clamped thereto in the selected adjusted position, means to reciprocate the carrier and looper to cause the looper to enter the loops, and means to sever' the loops upon the GLENN LooPER.. 

